Heteroaromatic compounds for organic electronics

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein X is O, S or NR 10 , wherein R 10  is H, C 1-30 -alkyl, substituted C 1-30 -alkyl, C 2-30 -alkenyl, substituted C 2-30 -alkenyl, C 2-30 -alkynyl, substituted C 2-30 -alkynyl or C(0)-OR 11 , R 1  and R 11  are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of C 1-30 -alkyl, substituted C 1-30 -alkyl, C 2-30 -alkenyl, substituted C 2-30 -alkenyl, C 2-30 -alkynyl, substituted C 2-30 -alkynyl, C 5-8 -cycloalkyl, substituted C 5-8 -cycloalkyl, C 5-8 -cycloalkenyl, and substituted C 5-8 -cycloalkenyl, and an electronic device comprising the compounds as semiconducting material.

Organic semiconducting materials can be used in electronic devices such as organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs), organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), and organic electrochromic devices (ECDs).

For efficient and long lasting performance, it is desirable that the organic semiconducting material-based devices show high charge carrier mobility as well as high stability, in particular towards oxidation by air.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the organic semiconducting materials are compatible with liquid processing techniques such as spin coating as liquid processing techniques are convenient from the point of processability, and thus allow the production of low cost organic semiconducting material-based electronic devices. In addition, liquid processing techniques are also compatible with plastic substrates, and thus allow the production of light weight and mechanically flexible organic semiconducting material-based electronic devices.

The use of pyrrolobis(benzothiazines) as semiconducting material is known in the art.

Hong, W.; Wei, Z.; Xu, W.; Wang, Q.; Zho, D. Chinese Journal of Chemistry (2009), 27(4), 846-849 describes

which are air-stable and promising n-type semiconducting materials for use in organic electronics.

Hong, W.; Wei, Z.; Xi, H.; Xu, W.; Hu, W.; Wang, Q. Zhu, D. J. Mater. Chem. 2008, 18, 4814-4820 describes

and field effect transistors comprising these compounds as p-type semiconducting compounds.

An organic field effect transistor comprising compound of formula 1 as semiconducting material shows a mobility of 0.34 cm² V⁻¹s⁻¹ (when deposited by vacuum deposition at 60° C. substrate temperature), but compound 1 was found to be only slightly soluble in THF, hot DMF and DMSO. An organic field effect transistor comprising compound of formula 2 as semiconducting material shows a mobility of only 1.77×10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹s⁻¹ (when deposited by vacuum deposition at 60° C. substrate temperature), however compound 2 was found to very soluble in CH₂Cl₂. An organic field effect transistor comprising compound of formula 3 as semiconducting material shows a mobility of only 3.01×10-3 cm² V⁻¹s⁻¹ (when deposited by vacuum deposition at 60° C. substrate temperature), however compound 3 was found to very soluble in CH₂Cl₂.

Wei, Z.; Hong, W.; Geng, H.; Wang, C.; Liu, Y.; Li, R.; Xu, W.; Shuai, Z.; Hu, W.; Wang, Q., Zhu, D. Advanced Materials 22 (22), 2010, 2458 to 2468 also describes

and field effect transistors comprising these compounds as p-type semiconducting compounds.

The disadvantage of the compound 1 is the low solubility in organic solvents. The disadvantages of compounds 2 and 3 is that organic field effect transistors comprising compounds 2 and 3 as semiconducting materials show low mobilities.

It was the object of the present invention to provide organic semiconducting materials, which show high solubility in organic solvents and high stability towards oxidation by air, and which at the same time, when applied as a layer in an organic electronic device, yield organic electronic devices showing good performance such as high charge carrier mobilities.

This object is solved by the compounds of claim 1, the process of claim 8, the electronic device of claim 9 and the use of claim 11.

The organic semiconducting materials of the present invention are compounds of formula

wherein X is O, S or NR¹⁰

-   -   wherein R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR¹¹,         R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the         group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each         other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted         O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl and halogen; or R² and         R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹         together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6         to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to 10         membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic         ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic         ring system,     -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted         S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively,         S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,         OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl,         C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a),         OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a),         C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;         substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and         substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each         occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10         membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least         one substituent independently selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl,         C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,         OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂,         wherein at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of         C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted         O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, can         be replaced by a linking group selected from the group         consisting of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O), C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O),         C(O)—S, NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹², OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O,     -   wherein     -   R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl,         substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR^(d), R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are         independently from each other and at each occurrence selected         from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl,         C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl,         and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl.         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl and C₁₋₃₀-alkyl can be branched or unbranched.         Examples of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,         n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, neopentyl,         isopentyl, n-(1-ethyl)propyl, n-hexyl. n-heptyl, n-octyl,         n-(2-ethyl)hexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl,         n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-pentadecyl,         n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-nonadecyl and n-icosyl         (C₂₀). Examples of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl are C₁₋₂₀-alkyl and n-docosyl         (C₂₂), n-tetracosyl (C₂₄), n-hexacosyl (C₂₆), n-octacosyl (C₂₈)         and n-triacontyl (C₃₀).         C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl and C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl can be branched or unbranched.         Examples of C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl are vinyl, propenyl, cis-2-butenyl,         trans-2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, cis-2-pentenyl, trans-2-pentenyl,         cis-3-pentenyl, trans-3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl,         2-methyl-3-butenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, nonenyl,         docenyl, linoleyl (C₁₈), linolenyl (C₁₈), oleyl (C₁₈), and         arachidonyl (C₂₀). Examples of C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl are C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl         and erucyl (C₂₂).         C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl and C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl can be branched or unbranched.         Examples of C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl and C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl are ethynyl,         2-propynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl,         octynyl, nonynyl, decynyl, undecynyl, dodecynyl, undecynyl,         dodecynyl, tridecynyl, tetradecynyl, pentadecynyl, hexadecynyl,         heptadecynyl, octadecynyl, nonadecynyl and icosynyl (C₂₀).

Examples of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl are cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. Examples of C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl are C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl and cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.

Examples of C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl are cyclopentenyl and cyclohenexyl. Examples of C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl are C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl and cycloheptenyl and cyclooctenyl.

Examples of C₆₋₁₀-aryl are

Examples of C₆₋₁₄-aryl are C₆₋₁₀-aryl and

Examples of 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl are

wherein R¹⁰⁰ is H or C₁₋₂₀-alkyl.

Examples of 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl are 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl and

wherein R¹⁰⁰ is H or C₁₋₂₀-alkyl.

Examples of 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl are 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl and

wherein R¹⁰⁰ is H or C₁₋₂₀-alkyl.

Examples of halogen are F, Cl, Br and I.

A 6 membered aromatic ring system is

wherein the C-atoms marked with * are the C-atoms, to which R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, respectively, R⁸ and R are connected.

Examples 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system are

wherein the C-atoms marked with * are the C-atoms, to which R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, respectively, R⁸ and R are connected.

Examples of 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system are

wherein R¹⁰⁰ is H or C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, wherein the C-atoms marked with * are the C-atoms, to which R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, respectively, R⁸ and R are connected.

Examples of 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system are 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring systems and

wherein R¹⁰⁰ is H or C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, and wherein the C-atoms marked with * are the C-atoms, to which R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, respectively, R⁸ and R are connected.

In preferred compounds of formula (1)

X is O, S or NR¹⁰,

-   -   wherein R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl or C(O)—OR¹¹,         R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the         group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each         other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5         to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered         heteroaryl and halogen; or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶         and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to         which they are connected, form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring         system, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to         12 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12         membered heteroaromatic ring system,     -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, at each occurrence,         are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively,         S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,         OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a),         OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;         substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system and         substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each         occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10         membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least         one substituent independently selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a),         OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)C(O)—R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂,         wherein at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of         C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and         substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, can be replaced by a linking group         selected from the group consisting of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O),         C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O), C(O)—S, NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹²,         OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O,     -   wherein     -   R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, or C(O)—OR^(d),     -   R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are independently from each other         and at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H,         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl.

In more preferred compounds of formula (1)

X is O, S or NR¹⁰,

-   -   wherein R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl or         C(O)—OR¹¹,         R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the         group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each         other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15         membered heteroaryl and substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl;         or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸         and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected,         form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to         10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system,     -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each         occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which         are substituted with at least one substituent independently         selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl,         C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a),         OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a),         C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;     -   substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a),         OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;     -   substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and         substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each         occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10         membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least         one substituent independently selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a),         OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)C(O)—R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂,     -   wherein at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of         C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl can be         replaced by a linking group selected from the group consisting         of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O), C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O), C(O)—S,         NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹², OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O,     -   wherein     -   R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl or C(O)—OR^(d),     -   R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are independently from each other         and at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H,         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl.

In even more preferred compounds of formula (1)

X is O, S or NR¹⁰,

-   -   wherein R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl or         C(O)—OR¹¹,         R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the         group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each         other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15         membered heteroaryl and substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl;         or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸         and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected,         form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to         10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system,     -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each         occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which         are substituted with at least one substituent independently         selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl,         C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,     -   substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl;     -   substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and         substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each         occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10         membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least         one substituent independently selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaryl;         wherein at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of         C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl can be         replaced by a linking group selected from the group consisting         of O, S, and NR¹²,     -   wherein     -   R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl or C(O)—OR^(d),     -   R^(d) is at each occurrence selected from the group consisting         of H, C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl,         C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12         membered heteroaryl.

In most preferred compounds of formula (1)

X is S,

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₆-10-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, and substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl; or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system,

-   -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each         occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which         are substituted with at least one substituent independently         selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl         and 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl,     -   substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl and 5 to 9 membered         heteroaryl,     -   substituted C₆₋₁₀-aryl, substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 6 membered aromatic ring system, and substituted 5         to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each occurrence,         are C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, 6 membered aromatic         ring system, respectively, 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring         system, which are substituted with at least one substituent         independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl,         C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl, 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl,     -   wherein at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of         C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, can be replaced by the linking         group O.

In even most preferred compounds of formula (1)

X is S,

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,

-   -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each         occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which         are substituted with at least one substituent independently         selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl         and 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl,     -   substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl and 5 to 9 membered         heteroaryl.

In particular preferred compounds of formula (1)

X is S,

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,

R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁹ are H, and R³ and R⁸ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl,

-   -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each         occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which         are substituted with at least one substituent independently         selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl and         phenyl,     -   substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl and phenyl.

Also part of the present invention is a process for the preparation of the compounds of formula

wherein X is O, S or NR¹⁰,

-   -   wherein R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR¹¹,         R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the         group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each         other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted         O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl and halogen; or R² and         R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹         together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6         to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to 10         membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic         ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic         ring system,     -   wherein     -   substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted         S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl,         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively,         S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,         OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;     -   substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one         substituent independently selected from the group consisting of         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl,         C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a),         OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a),         C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂;     -   substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl,         substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and         substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each         occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10         membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered         heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least         one substituent independently selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl,         C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,         OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b),         C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a),         NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b),         NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a),         S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂,         wherein at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of         C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl,         C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl,         substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted         O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, can         be replaced by a linking group selected from the group         consisting of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O), C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O),         C(O)—S, NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹², OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O,     -   wherein     -   R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl,         substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted         C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR^(d),     -   R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are independently from each other         and at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H,         C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl,         C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl,         which process comprises the step of treating a compound of         formula

wherein X, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (1) with R¹O—C(O)-LG wherein R¹ has the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (1), and LG is a leaving group in order to obtain a compound of formula (1).

The leaving group LG can be —O—C(O)—OR¹, wherein R¹ has the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (1), or

The reaction is usually performed at ambient temperatures. The reaction is usually performed in a suitable organic solvent such as THF.

If R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all H, and X is S, the compound of formula (2) has formula

and can be prepared by treating o-aminothiophenol with dichloromaleimide. The reaction is usually performed at elevated temperatures, such as at a temperature in the range of 80 to 150° C., and in the presence of acetic acid.

If X is S, the compound of formula (2) has formula

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2), and can be prepared by treating a compound of formula

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2), with dichloromaleimide.

The reaction is usually performed at elevated temperatures, such as at a temperature in the range of 80 to 180° C., and in the presence of acetic acid.

If R⁹═R², R⁸═R³, R⁷═R⁴ and R⁶═R⁵, the compound of formula (3) has formula

wherein R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2), and can be prepared by treating a compound of

wherein R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2) with zinc.

The reaction is usually performed at elevated temperatures, such as at a temperature in the range of 40 to 80° C., and in the presence of an acid such as HCl or acetic acid.

A compound of formula

wherein R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2), can be prepared by heating a compound of formula

wherein R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2), The reaction is usually performed at elevated temperatures, such as at a temperature in the range of 160 to 260° C.

The compound of formula

wherein R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2), can be prepared by treating a compound of formula

with N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl chloride.

The reaction is usually performed in the presence of a base. An examples of a base is 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The reaction is usually performed at elevated temperatures, such as at a temperature in the range of 50 to 120° C. The reaction is usually performed in a suitable organic solvent such as DMF.

The compound of formula

can be prepared by treating a compound of formula

wherein R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ have the meaning as indicated for the compound of formula (2), nitric acid.

The reaction is usually performed at a temperature in the range of 10 to 20° C. The reaction is usually performed in the presence of an acid such as acetic acid.

Also part of the invention is an electronic device comprising the compounds of the present invention.

The electronic device can be an organic photovoltaic device (OPVs), an organic field-effect transistor (OFETs), an organic light emitting diode (OLEDs) or an organic photodiode (OPDs).

Preferably, the electronic device is an organic photovoltaic device (OPVs), an organic field-effect transistor (OFETs) or an organic photodiode (OPDs).

More preferably, the electronic device is an organic field effect transistor (OFET).

Usually, an organic field effect transistor comprises a dielectric layer, a semiconducting layer and a substrate. In addition, an organic field effect transistor usually comprises a gate electrode and source/drain electrodes.

Preferably, the semiconducting layer comprises the compounds of the present invention. The semiconducting layer can have a thickness of 5 to 500 nm, preferably of 10 to 100 nm, more preferably of 20 to 50 nm.

The dielectric layer comprises a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be silicon dioxide or aluminium oxide, or, an organic polymer such as polystyrene (PS), poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVP), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), benzocyclobutene (BCB), or polyimide (PI). The dielectric layer can have a thickness of 10 to 2000 nm, preferably of 50 to 1000 nm, more preferably of 100 to 800 nm.

The dielectric layer can in addition to the dielectric material comprise a self-assembled monolayer of organic silane derivates or organic phosphoric acid derivatives. An example of an organic silane derivative is octyltrichlorosilane. An examples of an organic phosphoric acid derivative is decylphosphoric acid. The self-assembled monolayer comprised in the dielectric layer is usually in contact with the semiconducting layer.

The source/drain electrodes can be made from any suitable organic or inorganic source/drain material. Examples of inorganic source/drain materials are gold (Au), silver (Ag) or copper (Cu), as well as alloys comprising at least one of these metals. The source/drain electrodes can have a thickness of 1 to 100 nm, preferably from 20 to 70 nm.

The gate electrode can be made from any suitable gate material such as highly doped silicon, aluminium (Al), tungsten (W), indium tin oxide or gold (Au), or alloys comprising at least one of these metals. The gate electrode can have a thickness of 1 to 200 nm, preferably from 5 to 100 nm.

The substrate can be any suitable substrate such as glass, or a plastic substrate such as polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Depending on the design of the organic field effect transistor, the gate electrode, for example highly doped silicon can also function as substrate.

The organic field effect transistor can be prepared by methods known in the art.

For example, a bottom-gate top-contact organic field effect transistor can be prepared as follows: The dielectric material, for example Al₂O₃ or silicon dioxide, can be applied as a layer on a gate electrode such as highly doped silicon wafer, which also functions as substrate, by a suitable deposition method such as atom layer deposition (ALD) or thermal evaporation. A self-assembled monolayer of an organic phosphoric acid derivative or an organic silane derivative can be applied to the layer of the dielectric material. For example, the organic phosphoric acid derivative or the organic silane derivative can be applied from solution using solution-deposition techniques. The semiconducting layer can be formed by either solution deposition or thermal evaporation in vacuo of the compounds of the present invention on the self-assembled monolayer of the organic phosphoric acid derivative or the organic silane derivative. Source/drain electrodes can be formed by deposition of a suitable source/drain material, for example tantalum (Ta) and/or gold (Au), on the semiconducting layer through a shadow masks. The channel width (W) is typically 500 μm and the channel length (L) is typically 100 μm.

For example, a top-gate bottom-contact organic field effect transistor can be prepared as follows: Source/drain electrodes can be formed by evaporating a suitable source/drain material, for example gold (Au), on photo-lithographically defined electrodes on a suitable substrate, for example a glass substrate. The semiconducting layer can be formed by depositing a solution of the compounds of the present invention, for example by spin-coating, on the source/drain electrodes, followed by annealing the layer at elevated temperatures such as at a temperature in the range of 80 to 360° C. After quenching the semiconducting layer, a dielectric layer can be formed by applying, for example, by spin-coating, a solution of a suitable dielectric material such as poly(methylmethacrylate), on the semiconducting layer. The gate electrode of a suitable source/drain material, for example gold (Au), can be evaporated through a shadow mask on the dielectric layer.

Also part of the invention is the use of the compounds of the present invention as semiconducting material.

The compounds of the present invention show high solubility in organic solvents, such as toluene, DMF, THF, chlorobenzene and CHCl₃, and are thus compatible with liquid processing techniques. At the same time, the compounds of the present invention, when applied as a layer in an organic electronic device, yield organic electronic devices showing good performance such as high charge carrier mobilities, preferably of above 5.0×10⁻³ cm² V⁻¹s⁻¹.

In addition, the compounds of the present invention also show high stability towards oxidation by air.

FIG. 1 shows the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1a as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −11 V, −10 V, −9 V and −8 V.

FIG. 2 shows the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1a as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V.

FIG. 3 shows the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −11 V, −10 V, −9 V and −7 V.

FIG. 4 shows the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V.

FIG. 5 shows the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1e as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −10 V, −8 V and −6 V.

FIG. 6 shows the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1e as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V.

FIG. 7 shows the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1g as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −10 V, −9 V and −8 V.

FIG. 8 shows the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1g as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V.

FIG. 9 shows the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 16 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −80 V, −60 V, −40 V, −20 V and 0 V.

FIG. 10 shows the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 16 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −80 V.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Preparation of Compound 1a

Preparation of Compound 2a

0.83 g (5 mmol) of dichloromaleimide and 1.25 g (10 mmol) of o-aminothiophenol were added to 30 ml of acetic acid, and stirred at 120° C. for 6 hours under N₂. After cooling to r.t., the precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with methanol and THF. Compound 2a (1.26 g) was used in the next step without further purification.

Preparation of Compound 1a

215 mg (0.7 mmol) of compound 2a, 13 mg (0.1 mmol) of 4-dimethylaminopyridine, and 458 mg (2.1 mmol) of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate were added to 10 ml of THF, and stirred at r.t. overnight under N₂. The precipitate was isolated with filtration, washed with tert-butylmethylether, yielding 232 mg (0.57 mmol; 81%) of compound 1a as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃). δ [ppm] 1.72 (s, 9H), 7.15 (t, 2H), 7.21-7.28 (m, 4H), 7.50 (d, 2H).

Example 2

Preparation of Compound 1b

Preparation of Compound 6a

To a solution of 9.85 g (60 mmol) of 4-pentylphenol in 70 ml of acetic acid was added 7.6 g of nitric acid dissolved in 20 ml of acetic acid dropwise with keeping the temperature in the range of 10-15° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at r.t. for 4 hours, and then poured to water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with NaHCO₃aq and water, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. Compound 6a was used in the next step without further purification.

Preparation of Compound 5a

To a solution of 10.5 g (50 mmol) of compound 6a, 15.1 g (135 mmol) of DABCO in 50 ml of DMF was added 7.73 g (63 mmol) of N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl chloride by portions. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours, and then poured to water and acidified with 6N HCl. Compound 5a was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. The residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane and CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) as eluent, yielding 13.0 g (44 mmol; 88%) of compound 5a as a brown liquid. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃). δ [ppm]: 0.90 (t, 3H), 1.25-1.38 (m, 4H), 1.62-1.70 (m, 2H), 2.69 (t, 2H), 3.39 (s, 3H), 3.46 (s, 3H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 7.46 (d, 1H), 7.92 (s, 1H).

Preparation of Compound 4a

12.7 g (43 mmol) of compound 5a was placed in a reaction vessel and heated at 210° C. with stirred under N₂ for 3 hours. After cooling to r.t., 80 ml of THF was added. To the solution was added 5.31 g (95 mmol) of potassium hydroxide dissolved in 20 ml of methanol dropwise with cooled by an ice bath. The reaction mixture was stirred at r.t. for 30 min, and poured to ice, acidified with conc. HCl. Compound 4a was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃). δ [ppm]: 0.89 (t, 3H), 1.25-1.37 (m, 4H), 1.55-1.65 (m, 2H), 2.63 (t, 2H), 3.96 (s, 1H), 7.25 (d, 1H), 7.33 (d, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H).

Preparation of Compound 3a

To a solution of 5.15 g (23 mmol) of compound 4a in 9 ml of conc HCl and 170 ml of acetic acid was added 18.0 g (275 mmol) of zinc by portions at 60° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. overnight. After cooling to r.t., insoluble solid was removed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated by a rotary evaporator and water was added to the residue, yielding a precipitate.

The precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with ethanol. Compound 3b was obtained with a yield of 5.16 g (11 mmol; 99%) as a white solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (DMSO-d₆). δ [ppm]: 0.83 (t, 6H), 1.18-1.32 (m, 8H), 1.42-1.53 (m, 4H), 2.39 (t, 4H), 5.72 (br s, 4H), 6.63 (d, 2H), 6.83 (s, 2H), 7.18 (d, 2H).

Preparation of Compound 2b

To 300 ml of acetic acid 7.26 g (16 mmol) of compound 3a and 2.66 g (16 mmol) of 3,4-dichloromaleimide were added and stirred at 140° C. overnight. After removing the solvent by a rotary evaporator, the residue was suspended in water. The solid was isolated by filtration, washed with methanol. Compound 2b was obtained as an orange solid. Compound 2b was used in the next step without further purification.

Preparation of Compound 1b

To 30 ml of THF 1.34 g (3 mmol) of compound 2b, 55 mg (0.45 mmol) of 4-dimethylaminopyridine, and 1.96 g (9 mmol) of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate were added, and stirred at r.t. overnight under N₂. The product was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. The residue was purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate and hexane (1:1) solution, yielding 1.06 g (1.9 mmol; 65%) of compound 1b as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃). δ [ppm]: 0.89 (t, 6H), 1.28-1.39 (m, 8H), 1.57-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.72 (s, 9H), 2.59 (t, 4H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.33 (s, 2H).

Example 3

Preparation of Compound 1c

Compound 1c is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, starting from 4-heptylphenol instead of from 4-pentylphenol, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ [ppm]: 0.88 (t, 6H), 1.20-1.38 (m, 16H), 1.55-1.63 (m, 4H), 1.71 (s, 9H), 2.59 (t, 4H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.33 (s, 2H).

Example 4

Preparation of Compound 1d

Compound 1d is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, starting from 4-dodecylphenol instead of from 4-pentylphenol, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.88 (t, 6H), 1.21-1.36 (m, 36H), 1.53-1.63 (m, 4H), 1.72 (s, 9H), 2.58 (t, 4H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.11 (d, 2H), 7.32 (s, 2H).

Example 5

Preparation of Compound

Compound 1e is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, starting from 4-tetradecylphenol instead of from 4-pentylphenol, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.87 (t, 6H), 1.20-1.33 (m, 44H), 1.60-1.70 (m, 4H), 1.72 (s, 9H), 2.59 (t, 4H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.33 (s, 2H).

Example 6

Preparation of Compound 1f

Compound 1f is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, starting from 4-docosyl-phenol instead of from 4-pentylphenol, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.86 (t, 6H), 1.20-1.35 (m, 76H), 1.56-1.63 (m, 4H), 1.72 (s, 9H), 2.58 (t, 4H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.32 (s, 2H).

Example 7

Preparation of Compound 1g

Compound 1g is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, starting from 4-[4-pentylcyclohexyl)-phenol instead of from 4-pentylphenol, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.89 (t, 6H), 0.98-1.10 (m, 4H), 1.18-1.38 (m, 18H), 1.38-1.52 (m, 4H), 1.72 (s, 9H), 1.83-1.92 (m, 8H), 2.40-2.49 (m, 2H), 7.02 (d, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.35 (s, 2H).

Example 8

Preparation of Compound 1h

Compound 1h is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, starting from 4-dodecylphenol instead of from 4-pentylphenol, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.85 (t, 3H), 1.21-1.37 (m, 18H), 1.60-1.68 (m, 11H), 2.67 (t, 2H), 7.22 (d, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 7.36-7.48 (m, 5H), 7.61-7.67 (m, 3H), 7.75 (s, 1H).

Example 9

Preparation of Compound 1i

Compound 1i is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, using di-(2-methyl-sec-butyl) dicarbonate instead of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.89 (t, 6H), 1.12 (t, 3H), 1.25-1.38 (m, 8H), 1.55-1.64 (m, 4H), 1.70 (s, 6H), 1.99 (q, 2H), 2.59 (t, 4H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.11 (d, 2H), 7.33 (s, 2H).

Example 10

Preparation of Compound 1j

Compound 1j is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, using di-(1-methylcyclohexyl) dicarbonate instead of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.80-0.95 (m, 6H), 1.10-1.65 (m, 21H), 1.95-2.08 (m, 2H), 2.40-2.49 (m, 2H), 2.58 (t, 4H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.34 (s, 2H).

Example 11

Preparation of Compound 1k

Compound 1k is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, using di-(1-ethyl-1,5-dimethyl-hexyl) dicarbonate instead of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.86-0.91 (m, 12H), 1.07 (t, 3H), 1.20-1.37 (m, 12H), 1.47-1.67 (m, 8H), 1.85-2.13 (m, 4H), 2.58 (t, 4H), 6.97 (d, 2H), 7.11 (d, 2H), 7.32 (s, 2H).

Example 12

Preparation of Compound 1l

Compound 1l is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, using di-(1-isopropyl-4-methyl-cyclohex-3-en-1-yl) dicarbonate instead of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.80-1.72 (m, 27H), 1.75-1.87 (m, 1H), 1.92-2.03 (m, 1H), 2.27-2.45 (m, 2H), 2.58 (t, 4H), 2.65-2.79 (m, 1H), 2.92-3.02 (m, 1H), 5.32 (s, 1H), 6.97 (d, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.29 (s, 2H).

Example 13

Preparation of Compound 1m

Compound 1m is prepared in analogy to compound 1b in example 2, using di-(1,1-dimethylallyl) dicarbonate instead of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate, and is obtained as an orange solid. ¹H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) d [ppm]: 0.82-0.95 (m, 6H), 1.20-1.40 (m, 12H), 1.52-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.79 (s, 6H), 2.59 (t, 4H), 5.23 (d, 1H), 5.51 (d, 1H), 6.28 (dd, 1H), 6.98 (d, 2H), 7.11 (d, 2H), 7.33 (s, 2H).

Example 14

Preparation of Field-Effect Transistors Comprising Compounds 1a, 1b, 1e, Respectively, 1g as Semiconducting Material

30 nm ALD Al₂O₃ coated, highly doped silicon wafers were thoroughly cleaned with acetone and isopropanol and after a short oxygen plasma treatment treated with a solution of decyl-phosphonic acid in isopropanol. The compound 1a, 1b, 1e, respectively, 1g was thermally evaporated in high vacuum (<10⁻⁵ mbar). A 50 nm-thick of Au layer for source and drain electrodes was deposited though a shadow mask to give top contact OFET devices. The channel width (W) was 500 μm and channel length (L) was 100 μm.

All electrical measurements were performed in ambient air in the dark using a B1500 Agilent parameter analyzer.

In FIG. 1 the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1a as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) Of −11 V, −10 V, −9 V and −8 V is shown.

In FIG. 2 the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1a as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V is shown.

In FIG. 3 the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) Of −11 V, −10 V, −9 V and −7 V is shown.

In FIG. 4 the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V is shown.

In FIG. 5 the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1e as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −10 V, −8 V and −6 V is shown.

In FIG. 6 the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1e as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V is shown.

In FIG. 7 the drain-source current I_(ds) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1g as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −10 V, −9 V and −8 V is shown.

In FIG. 8 the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 14 comprising compound 1g as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −5 V is shown.

The field effect transistors comprising 1a, 1b, 1e, respectively, 1g showed typical p-type characteristics.

The charge-carrier mobility (μ) was extracted in the saturation regime from the slope of (I_(DS))^(1/2) versus V_(GS) using the equation μ=2L/(W*C_(i))*(dl_(DS) ^(1/2)/dV_(GS))², wherein L is the channel length, W is the channel width, C_(i) is the capacitance per unit area of the dielectric layer, I_(DS) is the drain-source current, and V_(GS) is the gate-source voltage.

The threshold voltage (V_(th)) was extracted from the intersection of the linear extrapolation of the I_(DS) ^(1/2) versus V_(GS) plot with the V_(GS) axis.

The results are depicted in table 1

TABLE 1 Compound V_(th) [V] μ [cm²/Vs] I_(on/off) 1a −6.9 0.13 1E4 1b −4.5 0.68 7E4 1e −3.9 0.23 2E6 1g −6.5 0.008 4E4

Example 15

The Solubility of the Compounds 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d at 25° C. were Compared to the Solubility of the Compound of Formula

The results are outlined in table 2

TABLE 2 Compound DMF THF clorobenzene CHCl₃ 2a (comparative) <1 mg/mL <1 mg/mL <1 mg/mL <1 mg/mL 1a 1 to 5 mg/mL 1 to 5 mg/mL 5 to 10 mg/mL 5 to 10 mg/mL 1b <1 mg/mL >10 mg/mL >10 mg/mL >10 mg/mL 1c <1 mg/mL >10 mg/mL >10 mg/mL >10 mg/mL 1d >10 mg/mL >10 mg/mL >10 mg/mL >10 mg/mL

Example 16

Preparation of Field-Effect Transistors Comprising Compound 1b as Semiconducting Material

SiO₂/Si substrates were thoroughly cleaned with piranha solution, ultrapure water, followed by isopropanol, and the substrates were functionalized with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) from solution. A thin film of compound 1b was formed on the OTS-treated SiO₂/Si substrate by spin coating a 5 mg/ml solution of compound 1b in CHCl₃ at 4000 rpm for 30 sec, and annealed at 200° C. for 10 min on a hot-plate. On top of the organic thin film, Au layer was deposited through a shadow mask as source and drain electrodes to give top contact OFET devices. The channel width (W) was 3 mm and channel length (L) was 50 μm.

All electrical measurements are performed in ambient air in the dark using a Keithley 4200 parameter analyzer.

In FIG. 9 the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the drain-source voltage V_(DS) (output curve) for the field effect transistor of example 16 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a gate voltage V_(GS) of −80 V, −60 V, −40 V, −20 V and 0 V is shown.

In FIG. 10 the drain-source current I_(DS) in relation to the gate-source voltage V_(GS) (transfer curve) for field effect transistor of example 16 comprising compound 1b as semiconducting material at a drain-source voltage V_(DS) of −80 V is shown.

The field effect transistors comprising 1b showed typical p-type characteristics.

To record the transfer curve the drain-source voltage (V_(DS)) was held to −80 V. The charge-carrier mobility (μ) was extracted in the saturation regime from the slope of (I_(DS))^(1/2) versus V_(GS) using the equation μ=2L/(W*C_(i))*(dl_(DS) ^(1/2)/dV_(GS))², wherein L is the channel length, W is the channel width, C_(i) is the capacitance per unit area of the dielectric layer, I_(DS) is the drain-source current, and V_(GS) is the gate-source voltage.

The threshold voltage (V_(th)) was extracted from the intersection of the linear extrapolation of the I_(DS) ^(1/2) versus V_(GS) plot with the V_(GS) axis.

The results are depicted in table 3

TABLE 3 Compound V_(th)/V μ/cm²/Vs I_(on/off) Compound 1b −9.0 0.022 3E5 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (1):

wherein: X is O, S or NR¹⁰, R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR¹¹, R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl and halogen, or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂, at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, can be replaced by a linking group selected from the group consisting of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O), C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O), C(O)—S, NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹², OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O, R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR^(d), and R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are independently from each other and at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein: X is O, S or NR¹⁰, R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, or C(O)—OR¹¹, R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl and halogen, or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂, at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, can be replaced by a linking group selected from the group consisting of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O), C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O), C(O)—S, NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹², OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O, R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, or C(O)—OR^(d), and R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are independently from each other and at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein: X is O, S or NR¹⁰, R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl or C(O)—OR¹¹, R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl and halogen, or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂, at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl can be replaced by a linking group selected from the group consisting of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O), C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O), C(O)—S, NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹², OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O, R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, or C(O)—OR^(d), R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are independently from each other and at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein: X is O, S or NR¹⁰, R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl or C(O)—OR¹¹, R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl and substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl; or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl; substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl; at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl can be replaced by a linking group selected from the group consisting of O, S, NR¹², R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl or C(O)—OR^(d), and R^(d) is at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein: X is S, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, and substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl; or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl and 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl and 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl, substituted C₆₋₁₀-aryl, substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, substituted 6 membered aromatic ring system, and substituted 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each occurrence, are C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, 6 membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 9 membered heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl, 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl, and at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, can be replaced by the linking group O.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein: X is S, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl and 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, phenyl and 5 to 9 membered heteroaryl.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein: X is S, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁹ are H, R³ and R⁸ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl and phenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl and phenyl.
 8. A process for preparing the compound of claim 1, the process comprising treating a compound of formula (2):

with a compound of formula: R¹O—C(O)-LG to obtain the compound of formula (1):

wherein: X is O, S or NR¹⁰, R¹⁰ is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR¹¹; R¹ and R¹¹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl and halogen, or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, R⁴ and R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, R⁷ and R⁸, or, R⁸ and R⁹ together with the C-atoms, to which they are connected, form a 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system or a substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system; substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, at each occurrence, are C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, respectively, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, and substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, at each occurrence, are C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, respectively, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; substituted C₆₋₁₄-aryl, substituted 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, substituted 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, and substituted 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, at each occurrence, are C₆₋₁₄-aryl, 5 to 15 membered heteroaryl, 6 to 10 membered aromatic ring system, respectively, 5 to 12 membered heteroaromatic ring system, which are substituted with at least one substituent independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl, OR^(a), OC(O)—R^(a), OC(O)—OR^(a), OC(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—R^(a), C(O)—OR^(a), C(O)—NR^(a)R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), C(O)—NR^(a)—OR^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—R^(b), C(O)—NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), C(O)—SR^(a), NR^(a)R^(b), NR^(a)—NR^(b)R^(c), NR^(a)—C(O)R^(b), NR^(a)—C(O)—OR^(b), NR^(a)C(O)—NR^(b)R^(c), SR^(a), S—C(O)—R^(a), halogen, CN, and NO₂; at least one CH₂-group, but not adjacent CH₂-groups, of C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, substituted C₅₋₈-cycloalkenyl, O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted O—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl and substituted S—C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, can be replaced by a linking group selected from the group consisting of O, S, NR¹², CO, O—C(O), C(O)—O, O—C(O)—O, S—C(O), C(O)—S, NR¹²—C(O), C(O)—NR¹², OC(O)—NR¹² and NR¹²—C(O)—O; R¹² is H, C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, substituted C₁₋₃₀-alkyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl, substituted C₂₋₃₀-alkynyl or C(O)—OR^(d); R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are independently from each other and at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₂₀-alkyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkenyl, C₂₋₂₀-alkynyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₅₋₆-cycloalkenyl, C₆₋₁₀-aryl, and 5 to 12 membered heteroaryl; and LG is a leaving group.
 9. An electronic device, comprising the compound of claim 1, wherein said electronic device is an organic photovoltaic device (OPV), an organic field-effect transistor (OFET), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or an organic photodiode (OPD).
 10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is an organic field effect transistor (OFET).
 11. A semiconducting material, comprising the compound of claim
 1. 